Property industry charity LandAid, which works towards ending youth homelessness, has appointed Sophie Thornley to its Cambridge Board.

An Associate in Birketts’ top-tier Construction Team and former school governor, Sophie has 15 years’ experience in the industry advising on all aspects of non-contentious construction and engineering transactions. Dedicated to her work with construction employers, contractors, consultants, sub-contractors, funders and end users, Sophie assists clients with procurement and project finance to procure or finance a project and see her clients’ vision take physical shape.

Her skillset and attitude will be an asset to the charity’s Cambridge Board (formed in 2020), which draws together many representatives from across the property industry to support charities delivering life-changing services for young people who are or have been homeless. Using a unique network of corporate partners and expertise of other board members, it provides vital funding to help delivering its goal of ending youth homelessness.

Sophie is joining a board filled with decades of industry experience, including Chairman Nicholas Bewes – Chief Executive of Howard Group and Policy Committee member of the Institute for Family Business. Just one of the projects currently being organised by Nicholas and the other board members, in tandem with local charity and industry partners, will see the launch of a training and apprenticeship programme for young people in the construction industry who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

Sophie said of the appointment: “LandAid is a fantastic organisation, with an unparalleled network of private businesses and charitable organisations and acute understanding of the importance of making a lasting impact. I see the same responsible, accountable and transparent qualities in the work of Nicholas and his board in Cambridge as I do in my own client work and I am excited to get to work with my fellow board members. Joining LandAid’s Cambridge Board is an ideal opportunity to use my experience gathered across construction, real estate and education practices for such an important cause, supporting those dealing with homelessness or the risk of becoming homeless.”

Nicholas Bewes, LandAid’s Regional Board Chairman for Cambridge, added: “Sophie is a wonderful addition to our talented board; she clearly shares our passion and vision to end youth homelessness. The work of LandAid and that of our many partners has never been more urgent as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. Our work in the region will benefit enormously from Sophie’s legal insight and passion for our mission. We all look forward to working with her in the coming months.”